No chemo this week....

On Tuesday went to the chemo clinic for my first meeting ... have to say it was quite a busy place. I met with the doctor who will be prescribing my "cocktail". He asked a lot of questions, what medications I take, my personal life, etc and explained the cancer more in detail to me. He kept saying how we are all a team and we have to be strong snd work together, be positive, etc. I mentioned how the pains are getting worse and he said we should begin treatments as soon as possible - then he sent me off to get blood tests, chest Xrays and ECG. The chemo nurse just called today and gave me my appointment for March 31. I was quite surprised that it's two more weeks of waiting but she said that's the best she could do -they have 30 chairs and there's a long lineup. So two more weeks of anxiety, pain and morphine. I do have to go see this doctor again next Tuesday, I guess for results (?). Just had to let this off my chest...I psyched myself up for my first treatment and now more waiting.

I know it's hard when you're ready to face it and it's postponed. Often the first long meeting is the consult, with chemo coming later--it was for me. Delays are maddening and upsetting, but soon you will be getting the chemo and getting rid of the cancer cells. Then you'll be on a regular cycle.

Ugh. I'm sorry, Maxime! The waiting, the waiting...oh how I hate the waiting!!!

I hope your tests results come in soon and all is well so that you can FINALLY get started on kicking those cancer cells out once and for all!!!

XOXO
K9

Oh, Maxime, I am so sorry to hear that you have to wait more. Gee, I wish that someone thought to tell you that this was simply a consult. I remember that my oncologist scheduled consults at 7:00 a.m. We were told to be there on time and that we'd have a full hour with him. Boy, was I impressed with him and his staff. I still am. I think it was a few weeks between the time that I first met with him and the start of chemo.

Keep the faith, Maxime. Stay positive. (Easier said than done, I know.)

God bless, hon.

Maxime,
I remember some of your earlier post, and am so glad you are going through with this treatment!
I'm sorry to hear you have to wait now... that is such a bummer!!! You have been, and will continue to be in my prayers.
I'm so glad for your treatment! Hang in there! It's doable.
-Sue

s Maxime

So sorry to hear you are in so much pain....gosh, I wish they could push your chemo up. But, things happen for a reason. Maybe this time is well spent getting rested up and getting yourself mentally and physically prepared for chemo.

You will find the chemo so doable. Really, the anticipation of it, is much worse than the actual chemo itself. Think of the chemo as your friend, not the enemy. Cancer is the enemy, and your friend "chemo" is in there doing battle for you.

Hang in there......

Maxime,
I am so sorry! I can't imagine two weeks of waiting in pain. That's just awful.

When I was diagnosed, I had the opposite happen, everything happened too fast. They gyn/onc did a biopsy, on a Tuesday, expecting it to be positive. He sent me to the radiaion oncologist the next morning and blood tests and CT scan that day too. By Friday I was getting radiation treatment and chemo began on Monday. That weekend I was a bit overwhelmed because I had NO test that had shown any kind of cancer! I was second guessing everything. I talked to all the doctors on Monday, just as the biopsy results came in and confirmed the gyn/onc's diagnosis. I'm not saying that waiting is a good thing, it isn't. Waiting is horrible, particularly if you are in pain.

One thought I had, can you go another infusion facility? I got chem in my doctor's infusion room but I also had the choice of going to the hospital a block away. Do you have such an option? Might you be able to get into another facility sooner than the end of the month?

BIG hugs and comfort,
Janie

Hi, Maxime!

I'm so sorry. The waiting is always the hardest part. I guess I didn't realize that you were in pain and needing morphine. Forgive me if you've already posted about this, but did they find anything visible on your CT scan? Will debulking surgery be an option, or do they think that it's best to simply treat with chemo? What specifically is causing pain? Was pain what alerted you to the fact that something might be going on?

s!

I had pains on/off since surgery that my oncologist said was due to severe adhesions and scarring -those were tolerable. In the last couple of months the pains seemed to get worse, at my last followup in November my oncologist said I seemed stable. When I asked about my pains again -he again, quite rudely, told me that there was nothing else he could do- I should take my meds and rest. I then asked for a scan (since the last one I had was in June) and he said it was too early and I had no visible symptons to suggest I needed one (my CA was 8). I left there feeling frustrated and decided to see another doctor for a second opinion on the pains. This dr agreed with my doctor that adhesions do cause pain, but she ordered the PET/CT scan just to see if anything was going on since I was due for one. That's when they called me back (to redo the test from my liver to stomach), then after 2 more weeks she told me that there was something but needed me to have an MRI to be sure. Two weeks later, she confirmed that the cancer was back. I finally got copies of all the tests and it confirmed what she had said. Three new tumors were found along with a tarlov cyst (not cancer) close to my spine (causes lots of pain), there are fluids and the cancer has spread throughout my pelvis and starting in the abdomen. She said I would need chemo but she didn't practice oncology (she found it too depressing- she does menopause and fertility) so she recommended i go back to my dr (since he's the best!) and disregard his bedside manner. So here I am. She called him and explained the situation, faxed him all test results and when I saw him, let's just say his attitude has changed with me. He did say at this stage it was inoperable- I had wanted him to remove the 3 tumors and then do chemo. The chemo dr also confirmed that this week, he said hopefully the chemo will get rid of it all -if not, they'll go in after the chemo. I don't blame my dr since my CA has been normal -I guess he didn't know it could have been a recurrence. I didn't expect this at all! I just wanted the pains to go away. the pains I feel now are different (more painful). I can't sit, stand or walk for long periods of time -bowel movement problems -and they are painful. I'm bloated and feel nauseated and lost weight. Sorry to make this long (again).

Denton: to go to another facility (in my case hospital) I would need a written referral from my dr. Since most of our healthcare is covered in Canada, waiting is part of the package. My dr is the one who heads the chemo clinic at the hospital. Waiting 2 more weeks I guess is bearable -just frustrating. I will mention it to the chemo dr. next Tuesday -he's the one that told me treatments should begin as soon as possible. I'm not sure why he wants to see me again - I guess for the test results from this week?

Thanks for all your encouragement -I'll hang in here!